State of Emergency Announced in Yemen to Fight Cholera

Aden – The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that a total of 644 suspected cases of cholera, including 3 deaths, have been reported in Yemen. 31 cases have been laboratory-confirmed so far. Among the deaths, 2 occurred in Sanaa and 1 death occurred in Aden governorate.

On its Twitter official account, WHO announced its support to the Yemeni Ministry of Public Health and Population to take necessary public health measures to stop transmission and prevent the spread of cholera to other areas, enhance surveillance, improve case management and raise community awareness in high-risk areas.

The organization announced that two-thirds of people in Yemen don’t have access to clean water and sanitation services are limited, further increasing the risk of cholera.

“Almost 19 months into the conflict in Yemen, shortages of food, medicine and basic commodities are placing more people on the brink of starvation,” the organization added.

As soon as he arrived at the temporary capital in Aden, Prime Minister Ahmed Daghr held an emergency meeting in Maachiq Palace to discuss the current electricity and health crisis including cholera that is spreading in Aden and nearby districts.

A resource at the prime minister’s office stressed that the emergency state is announced in all hospitals to fight cholera and quickly treat it.

Abdul Nasser al-Wali, head of a local medical center in Aden announced that acute diarrhea in Aden between October 5 and October 22 reached 180, of which 9 died. He added that laboratory-confirmed Cholera cases reached 10.

Wali said that contaminated drinking water is the main reason for the disease, confirming that drinking water is safe and contamination-free.

The head of medical center confirmed there is a plan to fight the epidemic. He added that an emergency room had been established to execute the plan, as well as a team of experts present at the center to ensure safety measures are taken.

Wali concluded that center is trying to provide supplies and medical treatments to treat acute diarrhea at all medical centers. He confirmed that situation in Aden is under control and hoped for everyone’s cooperation for the better of Yemen.

State of Emergency Announced in Yemen to Fight Cholera